Kanthaswamy DNA Laboratory - Evolutionary & Forensic Genetics

Behind the Lab Door: DNA Lab

Hello! You've reached Professor Kanthaswamy's website for his lab at Arizona State University, West Valley campus. Here we explore the genetics of humans and nonhuman primates to gain insight and develop tools pertaining to evolution, health, and forensic science.

Internship Opportunities

Undergraduate students at ASU can intern in our lab, where they will become confident in a variety of research methods oriented around genetics and forensic science. Interns are taken on a case-by-case basis, and are expected to volunteer for around 6 hours a week. FOR 499 credit is optional.

Before joining our lab, please take the Lab Safety in-person course offered by ASU as well as the Fire Safety, Hazardous Waste Management, and Biosafety & Bloodborne Pathogens training available through ASU EHS. You will also need to sign a Hepatitis B form.

If you would like to apply to join our lab, send a resume (including schedule availability and relevant coursework) to the lab manager at robert.oldt@asu.edu. We request that you have completed a general genetics course (LSC 347 or an equivalent) before applying.

Fee-for-Service Genetic Testing

We offer genetic testing services for humans, non-human primates, and canines.We can validate forensic kits that incorporate DNA extraction, amplification, and/or downstream genetic analysis. We measure the performance of the kit at each stage, and can provide a detailed report of results.

Human Identification, Family, and Ancestry Analysis

Using the expanded CODIS markers, we offer human identification testing (matching a known human sample to another human sample), family testing (paternity/maternity testing, relatedness analysis) , and limited ancestry analysis using the major United states populations as references. These analyses can be customized to the client's needs.

Genetic Testing for Macaques

1. ABO BloodPhenotyping (Dual-Target qPCR assay)

Knowledge of the ABO blood type is used formetabolism studies and stem cell research as well as for recipient matching in bloodtransfusion and tissue/organ transplantation studies.

2. RegionalOrigin and Ancestry (48 SNP genotyping assay)

Animals of different ancestry andgeographic regions can have genetic differences. These differences can causevarying responses to experimental factors and can confound study results. Thistest determines the geographic origin of rhesus and cynomolgus macaques.

3. Hybridization (48 SNP genotyping assay)

Admixed ancestry can occur if animals are derived from hybrid zones. For example, rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and cynomolgus macaques (M. fascicularis) originating from Indochina may exhibitvarying degrees of rhesus and cynomolgus heritage because of hybridization betweenthese species. There is also inadvertent interspecific breeding of animals in captivity. Being of intermediate composition, admixed animals may respond very differently to experimentation. Our test estimates the percentage of genome that is attributableto each species.

4. Chinese/Indian Rhesus Testing (96 SNP genotyping assay)

As there is a great degree of differentiation between Chinese and Indian rhesus macaques, this test can report the ancestry proportion of each in rhesus macaques.

5. Pigtail Genetic Testing (96 SNP genotyping assay)

We can infer the population structure of pigtail macaques for colony management.

Please send samples (with ice packs or dry ice) overnight to:

South FAB 301 A

c/o Sree Kanthaswamy, PhD

Arizona State University West

4701 W Thunderbird Road

Glendale, AZ 85306-4908, USA

(602) 543-3405

Other testing requests can be emailed to Dr. Kanthaswamy at sree.kanthaswamy@asu.edu

Kanthaswamy DNA Laboratory - Evolutionary & Forensic Genetics

Internship Opportunities

Fee-for-Service Genetic Testing

Human Identification, Family, and Ancestry Analysis

Genetic Testing for Macaques

Read more about our affiliated programs on campus: